{"id":14657,"date":"2022-02-21T08:30:30","date_gmt":"2022-02-21T08:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resin-expert.com\/?p=14657"},"modified":"2023-09-18T18:31:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T18:31:01","slug":"painting-over-varnished-wood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resin-expert.com\/en\/guide\/painting-over-varnished-wood","title":{"rendered":"Painting Over Varnished Wood – Reviving Old Woodwork With Paint"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sentimentality is part of what makes us human, it’s one of our most endearing qualities, but there are certain instances where it works against us. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to let go of things we\u2019ve had for a long time, whether they remind us of happier times or whether they were gifted to us by someone close to our hearts. The problem with this is that things tend to age and degrade over time, or their aesthetic becomes a bit outdated. In this case, we can either choose to bite the bullet and throw these things away, or we can put in the effort to update and repair these items. One particularly challenging type of older surface to modernize and repair are varnished ones, so let\u2019s have a look at how to repair or paint over them in the interest of giving them a new lease on life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Why is Painting Over Varnished Wood so Difficult?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve ever looked up the topic of painting over wood that has an existing varnish coating, you\u2019ll probably find that there are loads of comments and\/or articles that detail how challenging it can be to paint over varnished wood. Why is painting over varnished wood so challenging though? Here are a few factors that influence why it can be a bit difficult to paint over wooden surfaces with an existing varnish coating.<\/p>\n

\"Use<\/p>\n

If all wood is essentially the same thing, why is it difficult to paint over wood that has been treated with varnish? Well, it has to do with the surface friction of particular material. Naked or\u00a0raw<\/em>\u00a0wood typically has a lot of surface friction that allows things like paint and other surface coatings to stick to the wood and even seep into the wood fibers. Varnish is what\u2019s called a wood treatment, it not only creates a thin layer of surface protection but seeps seep into the wood pores to ensure its protection.<\/p>\n

This surface coating makes the surface of the wood in question smooth to the touch, which means that things like paint or other wood treatments won\u2019t be able to penetrate the surface of the wood. This means that if you tried to paint over a newly varnished surface, the paint would simply run off and make a mess. This begs the question then: can you paint over varnish if you really need to?<\/p>\n

\"Methods<\/p>\n

In theory, you can paint over varnish, but it really does depend on the type of paint<\/a> you intend on using, the age of the varnish you\u2019ll be attempting to paint over, and the degree of preparation you\u2019re willing to put into the surface before you get to painting. So, can you paint over varnish? Yes, absolutely, but it will require some elbow grease, patience, the right tools, and proper preparation on your part.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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What Types of Paint Can You Use on Varnished Wood?<\/h2>\n

While painting over varnished wood is challenging, it can help to have the right type of paint for the job. there are only a few types of paint you should use to paint over varnish as most other types will likely result in a blotchy mess that you\u2019ll need to clean up. Since painting over varnished wood<\/a><\/strong> is difficult enough, we thought we\u2019d save you the trouble a give you a shortlist of paints you can and cannot use on varnished wood surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type Of Paint<\/strong><\/td>\nCan You Use It to Paint Over Varnish?<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oil-Based Paint<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acrylic Paint<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Latex Paint<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enamel Paint<\/td>\n\u2718<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Synthetic Rubber Paint<\/td>\n\u2718<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lead-Based Paint<\/td>\n\u2718<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Why Do Only Certain Types of Paint Work on Varnished Surfaces?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re thinking about just using any type of paint on your varnished wood, it’s important for you to understand why each type of paint works on varnish. These paints have certain characteristics that allow them to adhere to varnished surfaces a lot better than others, so let\u2019s have a look at what makes these paints so special as well as some brands that we think are the best on the market for painting over varnished surfaces.<\/p>\n

\"Chalk<\/p>\n

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Latex Paints<\/h3>\n

There seems to be a lot of confusion around latex paints these days, but in reality, they\u2019re one of the simplest paint types out there, not to mention one of the most versatile and effective tools for restoring old furniture. What is latex paint you ask? Well, latex paint doesn\u2019t actually contain any latex at all, in fact, they\u2019re actually water-based and therefore are some of the thinnest paints on the market.<\/p>\n

\"Paint<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to be painting over varnished wooden surfaces, you\u2019re going to need paint that is thin in consistency to penetrate the varnish. The thicker the paint, the lower the probability of it being able to bond to the surface of your workpiece, in which case it will just end up running off and ruining your floor. Latex paints are also really cheap, which is great for larger workpieces.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a good latex paint for your next workpiece, we think that you might be impressed by\u00a0Rust-Oleum\u2019s<\/a> Painter’s Touch<\/a> latex paint<\/a><\/strong>. As far as paint manufacturers go, Rust-Oleum is one of the best in the business. Starting all the way back in 1921, this brand has a proven track record of providing quality, affordable paints that often last the lifetime of the workpieces they\u2019re used on. This comes as no surprise considering that they\u2019ve basically written the book on paints.<\/p>\n

\"Renew<\/p>\n

Their paints choice range is no different, ensuring that you have the best quality paint for all manner of projects, including painting over varnish. It\u2019s available in 63 different colors, can be used both indoors and outdoors, covers about 120 square feet, and is dry to the touch in just under 30 minutes! This flat finish is ideal for interior furnishings as it won’t cause any excessive glare when in contact with natural or artificial lighting, and really seems to open up smaller spaces quite well.<\/p>\n

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Acrylic Paint<\/h3>\n

Acrylic paint is a relatively new paint type and has fast become one of the most popular types of paint on the market today. Acrylic paint is also one of the best choices for painting varnished surfaces, it has some unique qualities that make it ideal for adhering to surfaces that would be considered challenging for other paint types. What are these characteristics you ask?<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

While latex-based paints adhere to varnished surfaces by being thin enough to penetrate beneath the treatment, acrylic paint adheres to varnished surfaces through the use of its thick consistency. This, in combination with acrylic paints’ inherent characteristics, makes it ideal for painting over varnished surfaces. Not all acrylic paints are made equal though, so what should you look for in a good acrylic paint when faced with painting over varnished surfaces?<\/p>\n

Well, we think that you would do well with the\u00a0Krylon\u2019s Colormaxx acrylic latex brush on paint<\/a><\/strong>. Krylon happens to be one of the world\u2019s most reputable manufacturers of paint products and has proven time and time again that they only produce the best quality paints, primers, and home improvement tools on the market. This comes as no surprise considering that they\u2019ve been around since the late 1940s.<\/p>\n

\"Use<\/p>\n

What really sets acrylic paint apart from some of the other paints on the market is its versatility and durability. This paint can be used on a number of surfaces including really tough-to-paint ones like ceramic and metal, not to mention masonry, brick, and drywall surfaces too. Like the latex paint we mentioned previously, this paint can be used for both interior and exterior applications if need be.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Refurbish<\/p>\n

If its adhesion strength and versatility still haven\u2019t sold you on this brand, consider that it’s also available in nine different colors, all of which are just perfect for remodeling your old, varnished furnishings and bringing them into the 21st century. Krylon\u2019s color max formula is also easy to clean up and is dry to the touch typically within an hour of being applied to your varnished surfaces.<\/p>\n

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Oil-Based Paints<\/h3>\n

Oil-based paints a great for loads of reasons, they help to protect wooden surfaces from things like rot, insect infestation, mold, UV damage, and even things like heat and cold. Oil-based paints were used almost exclusively before the advent of alternatives like acrylic and latex paints, but because of their impact on the environment, many companies and crafters have sought out alternatives.<\/p>\n

\"Types<\/p>\n

Modern oil-based paints have significantly less volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in them compared to the ones that were initially used, and they just so happen to be great at painting over varnished surfaces. Their ability to seep in and bond with a wood\u2019s fibers make them ideal for painting over wood treatments and even other paints, plus they\u2019re readily available in pretty much any store and online.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for good oil-based paint for your varnished surfaces, the\u00a0Zinsser high hide cover stain primer and sealer<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0happen to be an excellent choice. Their product not only works well as a paint for covering up varnished surfaces but can be used as a priming layer for additional paints, and has the added advantage of being able to cover other wood treatments like a wood stain. Unfortunately, it’s only available in white, so it only works if you\u2019re looking for a minimalist finish or simply want to use it as a base coat.<\/p>\n

\"Paint<\/p>\n

The great thing about oil-based paints is that they last for a really long time, and they do an excellent job of protecting surfaces coated with them for years, rarely needing things like touch-ups or replacement. The trouble with using oil-based paints is that you need a good primer to ensure that it adheres to the varnished surface correctly. Using a self-priming paint can aid in avoiding this issue.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This product from the Zinsser team is self-priming, and it’s ideal for time-sensitive projects thanks to its fast-drying formula that sets in around 35 minutes. You also have the added benefit of its stain blocking property which means that things like dirt, grime, moisture stains, and even direct heat won\u2019t ruin the finish of your workpiece.<\/p>\n

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How to Paint Over Varnished Wood with Sanding<\/h2>\n

Now that you know which types of paint are ideal for painting over varnished surfaces you should probably know how to paint varnished wood effectively. Remember that the key to painting over varnish is in the preparation, which does require a bit of patience to get right the first time. This being said, is a short tutorial detailing how to go about painting over varnished surfaces sanding. Here are a few things you will need:<\/p>\n